Finger splint



April 10, 1951 E. H. KLEINF'ELD 2,548,378

' FINGER SPLINT Filed Dec. 6, 1949 E wa/d H. K/einfeld INVENTOR.

9 BY wan/62 Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT J OFFICE FINGER SPLINT Ewald H. Kleinfeld, Saginaw, Mich.

Application December 6, 1949, Serial No. 131,298

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a splint in the form of a shield for the first joint of a finger which is relatively simple in design and construction, easy to slip on and ofi of the finger, and so constructed as to permit relatively free use of the uninjured joints of the finger.

An important object of this invention, is to provide a splint which is light in weight and perforated to allow aeration of the finger and which, at the same time, is a substantial support for the injured joint.

Another object of this invention is to provide a splint which is generally arcuated to conform 'to the contour of the finger and which has a cutout portion to uncover the nail so that the finger can be used with the splint thereon with a minimum of discomfort.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a splint of the character described which can be readily and easily secured to the finger by means of an adhesiv band or tape, the overall length of the splint being insufficient to cover the second uninjured finger joint to allow the same to bend freely.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the splint shown attached to a finger;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the splint itself; and

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the splint looking from the right on Figure 2.

Specific reference is now made to the drawing. In the several views in the accompanying drawing and in the following specification similar reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout.

Indicated enerally at I is a hand having a finger l2 injured or broken at the first point [4 thereof. The shield of the present invention is indicated at l6 and is fabricated of a sheet of lightweight material, such as aluminum, which is perforated at l8 to allow proper aeration of the finger l2 when the splint is in use.

As seen clearly from the drawing, the splint i6 is in the form of a shield which has a longitudinal, rearwardly extending portion 20 which is arcuated to conform to the top contour of the finger I2. The overall width of the longitudinal arcuate portion 20 is such as to only par- 2 tially embrace the finger, the free edges of this longitudinal portion being curved as at 22 and 24 to allow ease of bending of the uninjured second joint 26.

Integral with the front portion of the longitudinal portion 20 is a band 28 which is adapted to embrace the nail-bearing portion of the finger, and is arcuated as at 32 to conform to the bottom contour of this portion 30 of the finger. To permit the finger nail to remain uncovered so that the shield or splint will be worn with a greater amount of comfort, the band 28 is provided with a rearwardly extending cut-out or window portion 36.

It will be seen that the overall length of the shield or splint I6 is such that the longitudinal arcuate portion 20 overlies the first or injured joint I4 but does not overlie the second or uninjured joint 26 so that the latter can be free to bend. To anchor the shield or splint properly on the finger, all that is required is a conventional adhesive band or gauze 38 which is wrapped around the rear portion of the longitudinal arcuate portion 20 and the finger I2 between the first and second joints [4 and 26, respectively, as shown clearly in Figure 1.

Thus it will be seen that a light-weight, perforated, shield-like splint is provided for the first or injured joint of a finger which can be easily slipped on and off the finger and anchored thereto by means of a conventional adhesive band, and which is so constructed that the uninjured joints of the finger can be freely used. Also, arcuation of the band 28 and the longitudinal portion 20 to conform to the contour of the finger provides a firm splint with a minimum of discomfort to the wearer.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A finger splint comprising a perforated metallic shield including a rearwardly extending longitudinal arcuate portion adapted to overlie the first finger joint and partially embrace the finger,

a band integral with the forward end of said longitudinal portion adapted to embrace the nail- REFERENCES CITED bearing portion of the finger in f o of the first The following references are of record in the joint, said band having a lower curved surface file of this patent; arcuated to conform to the curvature of the lower 5 surface of the nail-bearing portion and a cut-out UNITED STATES PATENTS portion to uncover the nail and a portion of the Number Name Date tip of the finger, and. tape means on the arcuate 365,612 Lee June 28, 1887 part for securing said longitudinal portion 00 the 478,356 Paige July 5, 1892 finger behind the first joint. 10

'EWALD H. 

